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Michael Caine

Born:

March 14, 1933

Born as:

Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr

I've never been out with a married woman, never. I respect others' properties

Biography:

Young Maurice Micklewhite grew up in the slums of South London with dreams of becoming an actor. He entered motion pictures in 1956 and played a variety of roles in such British productions as A Hill in Korea (1956) and Zulu (1964). This was closely followed by his two best-known roles: the spy Harry Palmer, in The Ipcress File (1965) (the first of four films), and the woman-chasing Alfie (1966).

By the 1970s Caine had achieved international stardom. He appeared in the classic Get Carter (1971) and was, again, praised for Sleuth (1972). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Caine turned out films at a formidable rate –often three per year– to somewhat mixed results.

Receiving a CBE in 1992, Caine was knighted by the Queen on November 16th, 2000 - accepting the honour as Maurice Micklewhite Jr, in memory of his father.

By the end of the 20th century, Caine had appeared in more than 100 films.

In the new Millenium, Michael is back at the top of the game with The Quiet American (2002), Children Of Men (2006) and especially the three films with his friend director Christopher Nolan: Batman Begins (2005), The Prestige (2006) and The Dark Knight (2008).

Trivia

1. Michael Caine's wife hates his film Is There Anybody There? She banned the couple's pregnant daughter from seeing it. Caine: “But you have seen me die in lots of movies.”“No, I have only seen you killed in movies. In this movie you die as an old man.”“ It touched her.” Source / More (Web)

Maurice Micklewhite took his screen name from the film The Caine Mutiny (1954).

In 1993, Caine was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE), and he was knighted (KBE / Sir) in 2000.

Caine still uses his real name (Maurice Micklewhite) when he is not working.

“I was always on the lookout for the great roles. When they weren’t offered to me, I’d look for the good ones and when those passed me by, I’d take the ones that would pay the rent.”

Michael and his wife own seven restaurants worldwide.

In 2004 the gangster classic Get Carter (1971) was voted the best film of all time by Britons.

In 2005, Caine was voted fourth best British actor of all time in a poll. More than 2,000 people were quizzed to mark the 77th Academy Awards.

The role of Robert Rusk in the Hitchcock thriller Frenzy (1972) was originally offered to Michael. After Caine declined the role Hitchcock never spoke with Caine again. “Well not too many people turn down Hitchcock, but I felt very strongly about the scenes where he slices up women.” Source / More (Web)

Hitchcock remembered something different: “You could not have that part played by Caine and a lesser actor as your leading man, you’d have to balance them out. Otherwise you’d give the story away the moment Caine came on the screen” --Source: Alfred Hitchcock: Interviews, Page 112